Look Up! Ceilings Alert!

Mediaeval church builders were faced with the problem of roofing large spaces without the forests of pillars used in Classical times.

Pic 1. Altenberg Cathedral, Germany

The solutions they found resulted in many attractive ceilings, that are often unnoticed by visitors.An example, typical of many, is found in the German cathedral of Altenberg - picture 1. Pointed arches in stone, springing from corbels, span the roof space dividing it into a series of rectangles. A pair of diagonal arches within each rectangle create four triangles. Usually hidden by plaster - as here - a spider's web of smaller ribs forms a base on which thin slabs of stone or strips of wood are laid to complete an entire section of ceiling. A final plaster overlay reduces draught by filling chinks and gaps.The extensive white areas thus produced proved irresistible to church decorators, who painted on them in detail that is often hard to distinguish from floor level - sometimes 60 or more feet below. Herbaceous borders, lines of foliage, symbols of saints, arms of benefactors and other themes were introduced.

Picture 2 shows the ceiling of the Paris church of Ste Cecile (left) decorated throughout with brown stars on old gold; the mouldings, capitals etc are also coloured. The variety of treatment is endless and an upward glance often most rewarding. In a few - far too few - churches this is made easier by a mirror, or a system of mirrors, that allow visitors to examine the vaulting without the risk of falling backwards. AJW Pugin sometimes had his ceilings painted a darkish blue and spangled with gold stars. Usually, in order to avoid too much loss of reflected light, this decoration was confined to a limited area, such as the chancel. The effect is singularly lovely.

Pic 2. Ste Cecile (left) and St George's Chapel, Windsor.

Peculiar to England is fan-vaulting, an ornate form that developed during the 14th and 15th centuries. Picture 2 shows a section at St George's Chapel, Windsor; the picture was taken from the organ-screen . The resemblance to lace-edged fans is a remarkable example of the mason's art. The arms in the centre are those of King Henry VIII - he of six wives and gargantuan appetite. Admission of adequate light can be a problem in large churches, especially at the crossing, where transepts, nave and choir meet.

Pic 3. Sacre Coeur, Paris

Where there is a dome above, the drum is often provided with windows - as at Sacre Coeur, Paris - see picture 3. The church was well-worth a visit even when this involved climbing a very long, steep staircase. Now the Paris Metro has provided a funicular railway, getting there is nearly as enjoyable as admiring the architecture and listening to the organ. One does not have to be a habitual gazer at church ceilings to appreciate that the interiors of many domes are decorated, usually with biblical scenes. This painting is done, not on the undersides of the domes themselves, but on much more shallow constructions within - rather like inverted saucers. Without these, the effect would be like that of looking into a tunnel.

Pic 4: Ely Cathedral

Misfortune has bestowed a unique feature on Ely cathedral, England. The central tower fell in 1300 and was replaced shortly afterwards by the curiously futuristic-looking structure seen in picture 5. (The misty day is typical of that fenland district.) This octogon is a lantern in reverse, letting light into the crossing. It is regarded as considerable architectural and engineering achievement of its day. Its interior is shown (above).Looking up rarely fails to bring a reward.